The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-03-05
CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN OHIO.

Editor of HE UNIvERSALIST. I'VE nave
received several private letters, express
ing great fear that Rev. e. f. Pember
will move from the State, and thus leave
the southwestern part without minis
ter, excepting Rev. w. 8. Bacon. We
trust he may yet feel it to be duty to
remain, and to establish pastoral circuit
out of several churches, anxious to enter
upon such an arrangement
Our esteemed and venerable Br. j. 2.
T. Miller, in letter in which he RENTS
the balance of his subscription to the Per-
manent Fund, gives us number OF facts
concerning the late revival at Montgom-
cry, in addition to items already publish
ed. He states that "the new members
are all working nobly. I feel thankful to
our good Heavenly Father for all his mer-
cies, and for sending us degree Of pros
perity once more. know that my labors
in the Sunday-school were not in vain,
during the three seasons, when there was
not another man to assist" Since the
meetings an oyster supper has been held,
which Melted $41,40. No one understands
or appreciates Br. Miller's fidelity, more
than the writer, and I rejoice with him
in the new era that has dawned on that
old cradle of Universalism.
The success that attends the labors
of Br. John Richardson, justi6es the
earnest efforts made by many of his
friends to induce him to enter our minis
try. Wherever he has gone, he has made
most favorable impressions, and he bids
fair to become genuine revivalist. He
is now holding series OF meetings at
Eaton, where the Sunday-school has
been suspended, and the church closed
to regular services for some time; and we
trust that the results will be the revival
Of work there, and also at Camden where
our friends have been inactive for some
time.
The good news from Eldorado would
have formed part of this letter, but DR..
Beare's communication in the last paper
gave the facts before this came to hand.
ED.
AT our last meeting at Alder Chapel,
we had the pleasure of receiving into the
church, one of the best young men of the
community.
We learn from Springfield that the
congregations were slowly, but constant
ly increasing. The congregations are now
the largest that have assembled under
the present pastorate. Cottage prayer
and conference meetings are held every
Wednesday evening, so that some who
are unable to attend public services, have
the church occasionally taken to them.
The Springfield pastor is canvassing
the city for funds to aid in the erection of
the new church, and liberal subscriptions
are being received. Br. Vincent says the
canvass gives good opportunity to do
missionary work, as he is enabled to ex-
plain to many our doctrines. Even those
who do not subscribe listen readily. and
in addition to obtaining money, he occa-
sionally finds those who pledge them
selves to attend church. He says, as he
pushes the enterprise the more he is con-
WINGED that no city needs live church
of our faith more than Springfield.
Since our last, the Columbus Nc
ConnelsviIle, and Gallipolis churches
have paid their assessments in full. Many
more have promised payment before the
next Convention. One little church that
does not even own house Of worship,
and only numbers thirteen members,
promises payment in full.
The responses from some places de-
yelops lamentable condition. We give
a single example, suppressing locality
and name of the writer: "Your blank for
report received, but we have nothing to
fill it with. We have no meetings and
have had no minister for several years.
l cannot remember when we had Sun
day.school. We have nothing but the
house, and suppose that is worth two or
three hundred dollars. We have not
elected officers for several years. Some
of the members have died, some have
joined other churches, many others have
moved away, and those who are not dead
might as we'll be, for they will not pay a
cent, therefore it is no use to keep send
ing here for money. There are half
dozen or so, who will not deny that they
used to be Universalists, and they seem
to be firm in that doctrine now"
Dark as this picture is, from what we
know of that community, we believe, that
il minister could go there, who would
"preach Christ" and not himself the
dead could be brought TO life.
"A good sister belonging to a church
now pastorless, writes: "When we do
have another pastor, will try to get him
to explain to the congregation the obli-
CATION of each church to the State and
General Conventions. 1t has not been
mentioned in our church for many years,
though 1 tried to get two different pas
tors to explain, and to call for collec.
| TONS"
We trust that church will soon have a